Benefits of building a PLN in K-12 Teaching by Evelyn Yang

PLNs are easy to access

edod — 2014-09-22 02:09:35 UTC

PLNs rely on digital social networking, which are generally free and designed to be user-friendly. No need to invest a great deal of time and money into networking with such an accessible resource; with a few clicks of the mouse, teachers can get a good start on a PLN of their own.

PLNs are selective

edod — 2014-09-22 02:16:48 UTC

The Internet is a cornucopia filled with information, but even your favourite social networks are bound to overflow with irrelevance most of the time. However, having their own PLNs give teachers the choice to curate who they interact with and the material they see, so that they can keep the focus on what will benefit their educational practice without being overwhelmed.

PLNs offer diversity

edod — 2014-09-22 02:21:27 UTC

By extending social interactions online, teachers can transcend the limitations posed by factors such as geography and culture to access a myriad of resources from across the globe. Educators can easily consult practices and material from other countries, and partake in cultural exchanges with ease. Connecting with professionals from from all across the world has never been easier.

PLNs are fast

edod — 2014-09-22 02:26:48 UTC

Compared to mail and meetings between teachers, PLNs allow feedback to be received rapidly. Teachers can interact with their colleagues at any time and any place, reducing the hassles of regular correspondence taking place within a rigid timeframe.

PLNs are collaborative

edod — 2014-09-22 02:30:47 UTC

By offering up one's own ideas and resources and contributing feedback to those of others, PLNs give educators the opportunity to collaborate and cooperate with other minds, and reflect on their own work and practices. Not only does this allow teachers to hone their skills and develop as professionals, it can give them greater flexibility with the ability to incorporate others' ideas and resources into their teaching and build upon them.

PLNs are inclusive

edod — 2014-09-22 02:37:20 UTC

By moving interactions between teachers online, non-educators can see how teaching might work from an insider's perspective. Parents and students can now enjoy a slice of this metaphorical pie, allowing them to improve their learning experience by interacting with teachers even outside of the classroom.